RAINED OFF: Officials at Whalley can’t get Saturday’s match with Oswaldtwistle on

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Chris Cook-Martin is used to chasing debts - but its runs he is on the hunt for at the moment and he is hoping it’s pay-day soon.

The 24-year-old is in his first season as professional at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel and, despite amassing 109 in an early game, his return so far is 183 runs.

He admits that is disappointing but, after getting around 900 runs in the Bolton League last season in his first job as a paid man, he is confident he can come good.

"Last season, I started slowly and then turned it around in the second half of the season so I am hoping I can do that again," said Cook-Martin who works in Bury in a sales department following up people in debt.

"I have been a bit useless so far while the team has done okay. There are a lot of good amateurs at the club and luckily they have been pulling their weight without me really contributing.

"I have just found it difficult - I have found it hard to even lift the bat at some points even when I got my century - but Sunday was the first time I felt like it had come together.

"Now I hope I can kick on and can go on from here and get towards the 800 runs I know I am capable of. I know I have a lot to do though."

After a wash-out on Saturday, Cook-Martin made 30 while fellow opener Oliver Clare top-scored with 66 to help them to a two wicket win over league new boys Salesbury on Sunday.

Earlier skipper Imran Abid, who had said he needed to get more scalps, celebrated a six-wicket haul as he took his tally to 19 league wickets for the season, level with former captain Gerard Metcalf.

And Immanuel moved up the table as they aim for the top five place they set the target of at the start of the season.

"The captain had said at the start that he wanted to improve on sixth place, where they finished last season, and it’s realistic and we are capable of moving up the league," said the New Lane pro.

"I have now seen the standard of the Ribblesdale League and it’s similar to the Bolton League although we have better amateurs at Oswaldtwistle.

"I do not feel the pressure because of this and I have Gerard Metcalf who, at 50, is the youth of our team! But he helps me a lot and he is the guy everyone looks up to.

"His son Daniel is a quality player and his other son Andrew hasn’t been able to bowl because of a shoulder injury but they are a good set of lads. We have some good bowlers at the club - and I know if they end up asking me to bowl it means they are desperate!"

However Cook-Martin has noticed one weakness - their fielding. "I think we need to practise catching every night of the week to make it better." said Cook-Martin. "Our ground fielding is okay but we are dropping catches all over so that’s something we are having to work on in training. Hopefully it will pay off."

Cook-Martin started his cricket career in his home town of Rawtenstall and, while he misses the Lancashire League, he says the Ribblesdale League has big advantages.

"I think the Lancashire League should copy off the Ribblesdale League not having fixed dates and, when it is raining, just give points for abandoned games. I think that’s a fairer way."

He hopes tomorrow’s local derby with Great Harwood survives any weather problems, though - with Immanuel looking down on struggling Harwood, which is a rare event after the Cliffe Park outfit have challenged for the league title over the last few years.

And while Cook-Martin admits is full of admiration for league leaders Baxenden who are hot favourites to recaim their title, he is hoping they can stop Ian Austin’s men doing the double.

"Baxenden are a quality side. They have a fantastic side and it will be a struggle for anyone to stop them in the league," said the pro. "But we play them in the second round of the Ramsbottom Cup and I do fancy our chances. In the league, Baber Naeem can bowl all day but, with restricted bowlers, I think that gives us a better chance and I am confident."

BAXENDEN bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a four-wicket win over Earby on Sunday. Lewis McIntosh took six wickets to take his tally to 15 for the season as Earby only made 100.

Bash started badly with both openers out for a duck but captain Ian Austin, 39, and Simon Payne, 30 not out, steadied the ship to keep Bash at the top.

But it’s been bleak season so far for Great Harwood with just one win and a first round cup exit.

They came up against Barnoldswick who are finding their form after a shaky start and Harwood were grateful to Number 10 batsman Sohail Ali whose 54 at least gave their score some respectability with 119 all out.

Wickets did fall but Barlick were never really in trouble and Harwood need to kick start their season.